Red wine in moderation appears to have cardiovascular benefits. Some of the benefit from red wine comes from resveratrol, an antioxidant. In some studies, resveratrol has shown some benefit in reducing fatty liver, a common condition often related to obesity that affects as many as 25 percent of Americans, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Alcohol, including wine, can further damage the liver. Drink red wine to treat fatty liver only if your doctor specifically recommends it. Do not drink red wine at all if you have alcohol abuse issues.
Fatty Liver Facts
Eating fatty foods doesn't cause fatty liver, but obesity can. In fact, obesity is the most common cause of fatty liver in the United States, gastroenterologist Dr. Frank Jackson reports. Alcohol abuse, diabetes, high triglyceride levels also cause fatty liver, as well as some medications and diseases. When a fatty liver becomes inflamed, a condition known as steatohepatitis, cells can be permanently damaged. Avoiding substances that cause fatty liver is one of the most effective treatments for fatty liver. Weight loss is also a key part of treatment.
Possible Resveratrol Benefits
Resveratrol is a plant substance that has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants helps reduce damage to DNA in cells, which could benefit damaged liver cells. Resveratrol has low bioavailability in humans, meaning that it metabolizes and is eliminated quickly from your body after ingestion.While moderate alcohol consumption can reduce heart disease by 20 to 30 percent, it's not yet clear whether resveratrol is the major causes of the reduction, the Linus Pauling Institute cautions.
Studies
An animal study conducted by researchers from the University of the Basque Country studied the effects of resveratrol of non-alcoholic fatty liver in rats. Rats who took resveratrol had reduced fat infiltration. From this, researchers concluded that the same amount of resveratrol in red wine might help reduce fatty liver in people. Several caveats apply to this study. The research was done on rats, not people, and pure resveratrol, not red wine, was used to supply the antioxidant.
Risks
Alcohol is a known liver toxin. Fatty liver, while not harmful in itself, can progress in some cases to more serious liver damage such as cirrhosis. Women are particularly susceptible to liver damage from alcohol. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans describe safe moderate alcohol intake for women as no more than one drink per day, which equals one, not two 5-ounce glasses of red wine. For men, two glasses per day equals moderate intake. Do not drink more than this unless your doctor specifically prescribes it.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Alcohol and Public Health; July 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute; Resveratrol; Jane Higdon, Ph.D.; March 2005
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis; November 2006
- ScienceDaily; Two Glasses Of Wine A Day Helps To Reduce Quantity Of Fat In Liver; May 2009
- Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Fatty Liver; Frank Jackson, M.D.
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